RICHARD CARNE PLYMOUTH PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN PLYMOUTH AND NORTH PROSPECT
In August 2005, a wave of outrage and heartbreak swept through the community of Plymouth as victims of Richard Carne, a convicted paedophile, expressed their fury and disappointment following his sentencing.Carne, who was found guilty of abusing five young girls during the 1980s and early 1990s, received a five-year prison term at Plymouth Crown Court, a sentence that many of his victims deemed insufficient given the severity of his crimes.
Richard Carne, now aged 66, had previously been a resident of Ermington Terrace and carried out his heinous acts at his former home in North Prospect.
The court heard that Carne’s victims, most of whom were between the ages of eight and eleven at the time, were often children of families who were friends with Carne and his wife, which contributed to their sense of false security.
Prosecuting barrister Jo Martin described how the victims believed they were safe in Carne’s home, which was located on Briardale Road.
One of the victims, who is now 23, recounted her traumatic experiences, revealing that Carne would often invite her into his house after school, where he would indecently assault her over a period exceeding two years.
She described how Carne would climb onto her back while she was lying on her front watching television, and on another occasion, he pushed her onto the kitchen floor before assaulting her.
Another victim, now 29, was first assaulted at the age of seven when Carne invited her and a friend to join him in his bath.
She was also attacked during a camping trip, the court heard.
Additional victims included a girl who was assaulted multiple times from the age of nine, and another who was victimized regularly from age 11 to 15.
Speaking exclusively to the Evening Herald, the 23-year-old victim detailed the extent of her suffering, revealing that Carne’s abuse was nearly daily.
She explained that Carne, who was known as 'Uncle Tony' to her, would babysit her and her family, and would abuse her while she was asleep, often in bed with him and his wife.
She recounted her attempts to forget the trauma through drug use, including smoking cannabis, heroin, and crack cocaine, and her desperate attempts at suicide after seeing Carne in the street.
Her most severe attempt involved mixing a lethal cocktail of pills, oven cleaner, bleach, and vodka in a pint glass.
She was rushed to hospital and finally confided in her mother about the abuse, which led to a police investigation.
This investigation uncovered four other victims who had suffered at Carne’s hands.
The victim described Carne’s manipulative tactics, including enticing her into his home, which was equipped with a pool table, cakes, drinks like sherry, and other temptations, where he would carry out his assaults.
Carne’s criminal activities came to light after he was initially arrested in August 1998.
He denied all charges, and on the day of his scheduled trial in May 1999, he failed to appear in court, having absconded to Ireland.
It was only after a six-year extradition battle that Carne was finally returned to Britain in April 2005, where he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
His extradition was contested on health grounds, as Carne had suffered strokes and undergone heart surgery, but the court ultimately decided that he had fled to avoid justice.
Judge Francis Gilbert, presiding over the case, condemned Carne for his actions, emphasizing that the crimes took place in his own home while the victims were entrusted to him by their parents.
The judge stated that the victims, now adults, carry the scars of his abuse for the rest of their lives, and that none of the acts were consensual.
Carne was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Throughout the hearing, Carne showed no emotion, dressed in a blue anorak.
Victims reacted with anger and disappointment at the leniency of the sentence.
One victim expressed her devastation, saying, “I’m devastated by the sentence – it’s nowhere near enough.
He deserves twice that and then some.
He should have got at least five years for each count.
I hope he doesn’t come out alive.
I really hope he dies in prison.” Another victim remarked that the sentence did not compensate for the trauma they endured, describing the experience as aging them mentally far beyond the five-year term.
A third victim compared the sentencing to a funeral, symbolizing the finality of justice for her.
All three women expressed hope that there may be other victims who have yet to come forward, encouraging anyone who has suffered at Carne’s hands to speak out.
One girl stated, “I have been through hell, but the reason I wanted to stand up and be counted was to support other victims.
And I would do it again.
If there are other people who have been victims, do not be afraid to say.” Another added, “Every mother, every little girl, do not be afraid to speak out, no matter what it is.
You are not the only one.” Detective Dave Truscott of Plymouth’s child protection team expressed relief that the case had finally reached court and that Carne had been sentenced.
He noted that the lengthy legal process, including the extradition battle, had been challenging for the victims, but ultimately justice had been served, allowing them some closure after years of suffering.
